Sustainability
2 min read
By Pedro Carreira
Updated 25 June 2026
E-waste includes computers, monitors, printers, phones, cables, batteries, and TVs.
It is illegal to put e-waste in general waste bins in Victoria (fines of $500-5,000). Options: (1) Free drop-off at council e-waste centres, (2) Commercial e-waste collection services ($2-5/kg), (3) Manufacturer take-back schemes (Dell, HP, Apple offer free business pickups for their products), (4) Data destruction services that also recycle ($5-15/device).
A medium office generates 50-100kg of e-waste per year.
Key Numbers
- Fine for e-waste in general bin: $500–5,000
- Commercial e-waste collection: $2–5/kg
- Data destruction + recycle: $5–15/device
- Medium office e-waste: 50–100kg/year
What You Need to Know
E-waste — computers, monitors, printers, phones, cables, batteries and TVs — is banned from general waste bins in Victoria, with fines of $500–5,000 for getting it wrong. A medium office quietly accumulates 50–100kg per year, so a routine matters. Your realistic disposal routes:
| Route | Cost | Best for |
|---|
| Council e-waste centres | Free drop-off | Low, occasional volume |
| Commercial collection | $2–5/kg | Regular on-site pickup |
| Manufacturer take-back (Dell, HP, Apple) | Free pickup | Their own products |
| Data destruction + recycle | $5–15/device | Drives holding data |
The landfill ban sits within Victoria's circular-economy framework, Recycling Victoria — A New Economy. As an independent broker, Bundle Waste audits your e-waste handling free, compares collection and take-back options across a network of providers, and is paid only from the savings we find.
Related Resources
Related Questions
What are Victoria's recycling targets for businesses?+
Victoria's Recycling Victoria policy targets: 80% waste diversion from landfill by 2030, 100% of organics recovered from all sources by 2030, and all packaging to be recyclable, compostable, or reusable by 2025. While these are government targets (not mandatory per-business), many large clients, councils, and procurement processes now require suppliers to demonstrate 50-70% diversion rates. Having audited waste data gives you a competitive advantage.
What are the penalties for incorrect waste disposal in Victoria?+
EPA Victoria can issue fines of: $1,000-10,000 for littering or illegal dumping, $10,000-50,000 for unlicensed waste transport, up to about $2.03 million for serious environmental harm from waste mismanagement. For businesses, common penalties include contamination fees from providers ($50-200 per incident), loss of recycling service for repeat contamination (3+ strikes), and council infringement notices ($500-2,000) for bin placement or overflowing waste on commercial premises.
What is the four-stream waste system in Victoria?+
Victoria mandated a four-stream waste system: (1) General waste (red lid), (2) Commingled recycling (yellow lid), (3) Glass recycling (purple lid), (4) Food and garden organics (green lid). Commercial businesses are encouraged (not yet mandated) to separate all four streams. Implementing all four streams typically increases recycling rates from 20-30% to 60-80% and reduces general waste costs by up to 40% because recyclables and organics are cheaper to process than landfill disposal.
What sustainability certifications need waste data?+
Green Star (GBCA), NABERS Waste, ISO 14001, B Corp, Climate Active, GRI 306, and NGER all require: total waste generated, diversion rate, waste streams breakdown, and disposal methods. Bundle Waste provides data formatted for these certifications.
How does waste affect my carbon footprint?+
Waste accounts for 3–8% of a typical business carbon footprint. Key emissions: landfill methane, transport, embedded carbon in discarded materials. Reducing landfill waste 50% cuts total business emissions up to 4%.
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Updated 25 June 2026
